| Cosmetic compositions -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Cosmetic compositionsCosmetic compositions description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070224139, Cosmetic compositions. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001]Aging is a natural process not yet totally understood. It appears to be genetically controlled and can be accelerated by environmental, dietary, and pathological factors. At the cellular or molecular level, aging is considered as the result of the inability of an organism to respond adaptively to environmental changes. As people age, the process of self-renewal or replacement of skin cells slows down. [0002]The skin has three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis. The epidermis, the outmost layer, is filled with strata of specialized skin cells known as keratinocytes. These cells start out in the deepest layer of the epidermis and migrate to the skin surface. During this process, they lose moisture and are eventually sloughed off. In young people, this process takes about 4 weeks to travel to the surface. In people of age over 50, it can take about 5.5 weeks. The dermis, the layer beneath the epidermis, contains blood vessels that nourish the skin cells and the structural elements e.g., collagen and elastin, which keep the skin firm and springy. Aging results in fewer keratinocyte layers and, thus, less skin stem cell self-renewal and replacement. Also, the aged skin lost collagen and elastin poorly, leading to thin and papery-look appearance. Consequently, wrinkles form. This slow, concurrent losses of dermal cellular and structural elements, thickness, and elasticity, together with wrinkle and segment formation, are the most obvious indicators of skin aging. [0003]Various compositions and methods have been used for regulating undesirable skin surface texture, such as fine lines, wrinkles, pores, and the like. However, many of them are ineffective or cause allergy and other side effects. Thus, there is a need for a more effective and safer cosmetic composition. SUMMARY [0004]This invention relates to cosmetic compositions and use thereof. Accordingly, one aspect of this invention features a topical composition containing an isolated polypeptide having the sequence of stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) variant named stem cell active factor (SCAF) or its functional equivalent, and a cosmetically acceptable carrier. Shown below are the polypeptide sequence of SCAF and its cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2, respectively) TABLE-US-00001 MNAKVVVVLVLVLTALCLSDGKPVSLSYRCPCRFFESHVARANVKHLKILNTPNCALQI (SEQ ID NO: 1) VARLKNNNRQVSIDPKLKWIQEYLEKALNK ATGAACGCCAAGGTCGTGGTCGTGCTGGTCCTCGTGCTGACCGCGCTCTGCCTCAGCGA (SEQ ID NO: 2) CGGGAAGCCCGTCAGCCTGAGCTACAGATGCCCATGCCGATTCTTCGAAAGCCATGTTG CCAGAGCCAACGTCAAGCATCTCAAAATTCTCAACACTCCAAACTGTGCCCTTCAGATT GTAGCCCGGCTGAAGAACAACAACAGACAAGTGTCCATTGACCCGAAGCTAAAGTGGAT TCAGGAGTACCTGGAGAAAGCTTTAAACAAGTAA [0005]An "isolated polypeptide" refers to a polypeptide that has been separated from other proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids with which it is naturally associated. The polypeptide can constitutes at least 10% (i.e., any percentage between 10% and 100%) by dry weight of the purified preparation. Purity can be measured by any appropriate standard method, for example, by column chromatography, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, or HPLC analysis. An isolated polypeptide of the invention can be purified from a natural source, produced by recombinant DNA techniques, or by chemical methods. A "functional equivalent" refers to a polypeptide derivative of the SCAF polypeptide, e.g., a protein having one or more point mutations, insertions, deletions, truncations, a fusion protein, or a combination thereof. It retains substantially the activity of the SCAF polypeptide, i.e., the ability to improve skin condition (e.g., reducing wrinkles). The isolated polypeptide can contain SEQ ID NO: 1 or a functional fragment of SEQ ID NO: 1. In general, the functional equivalent is at least 75% (e.g., any number between 75% and 100%, inclusive) identical to SEQ ID NO: 1. A "cosmetically acceptable" or "dermatologically-acceptable" composition or component refers a composition or component that is suitable for use in contact with human skin without undue toxicity, incompatibility, instability, allergic response, and the like. [0006]The above-described topical composition can further contain an agent selected from the group consisting of an anti-wrinkle herbal extract, a whiting herbal extract, and an anti-acne herbal extract. Examples of the anti-wrinkle herbal extract include a hop extract, a horsetail extract, or both. The whiting herbal extract can contain a Scutellaria baicalensis root extract, a Saxifrage sarmentosa root extract, or both. Examples of the anti-acne herbal extract includes a watercress extract, a witch hazel extract, a centella extract, a licorice extract, or a combination thereof. The topical composition can further contain a pure polysaccharide, e.g., L-fucose, D-galactose, galacturonic acid, or a combination thereof. [0007]The topical composition of the invention provides an essentially immediate improvement in skin feel and appearance. It is also useful for providing visual improvements in skin appearance or conditions following multiple topical applications. Further, the composition provides the visual benefits without imparting an unacceptable skin appearance. [0008]Thus, the invention also features a method of reducing skin wrinkles or promoting hair growth. The method includes applying to a surface of skin in need thereof a safe and effective amount of the above-described topical composition. A safe and effective amount refers to an amount of a compound, component, or composition sufficient to significantly induce a positive benefit, preferably a positive skin appearance or feel benefit, including independently the benefits disclosed herein, but low enough to avoid serious side effects, i.e., to provide a reasonable benefit to risk ratio, within the scope of sound medical judgment. [0009]The invention features an isolated polypeptide containing the above-listed SEQ ID NO: 1 and an isolated nucleic acid that contains a sequence encoding the polypeptide, e.g., SEQ ID NO: 2. The polypeptide can be used in the composition described above [0010]A nucleic acid refers to a DNA molecule (e.g., a cDNA or genomic DNA), an RNA molecule (e.g., an mRNA), or a DNA or RNA analog. A DNA or RNA analog can be synthesized from nucleotide analogs. The nucleic acid molecule can be single-stranded or double-stranded, but preferably is double-stranded DNA. An "isolated nucleic acid" is a nucleic acid the structure of which is not identical to that of any naturally occurring nucleic acid or to that of any fragment of a naturally occurring genomic nucleic acid. The term therefore covers, for example, (a) a DNA which has the sequence of part of a naturally occurring genomic DNA molecule but is not flanked by both of the coding sequences that flank that part of the molecule in the genome of the organism in which it naturally occurs; (b) a nucleic acid incorporated into a vector or into the genomic DNA of a prokaryote or eukaryote in a manner such that the resulting molecule is not identical to any naturally occurring vector or genomic DNA; (c) a separate molecule such as a cDNA, a genomic fragment, a fragment produced by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or a restriction fragment; and (d) a recombinant nucleotide sequence that is part of a hybrid gene, i.e., a gene encoding a fusion protein. The nucleic acid described above can be used to express the polypeptide of this invention. For this purpose, one can operatively linked the nucleic acid to suitable regulatory sequences to generate an expression vector. [0011]A vector refers to a nucleic acid molecule capable of transporting another nucleic acid to which it has been linked. The vector can be capable of autonomous replication or integrate into a host DNA. Examples of the vector include a plasmid, cosmid, or viral vector. The vector of this invention includes a nucleic acid in a form suitable for expression of the nucleic acid in a host cell. Preferably the vector includes one or more regulatory sequences operatively linked to the nucleic acid sequence to be expressed. A "regulatory sequence" includes promoters, enhancers, and other expression control elements (e.g., polyadenylation signals). Regulatory sequences include those that direct constitutive expression of a nucleotide sequence, as well as tissue-specific regulatory and/or inducible sequences. The design of the expression vector can depend on such factors as the choice of the host cell to be transformed, the level of expression of protein desired, and the like. The expression vector can be introduced into host cells to produce the polypeptide of this invention. Also within the scope of this invention is a host cell that contains the above-described nucleic acid. Examples include E. coli cells, insect cells (e.g., using baculovirus expression vectors), yeast cells, or mammalian cells. See e.g., Goeddel, (1990) Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. To produce a polypeptide of this invention, one can culture a host cell in a medium under conditions permitting expression of the polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid of this invention, and purify the polypeptide from the cultured cell or the medium of the cell. Alternatively, the nucleic acid of this invention can be transcribed and translated in vitro, for example, using T7 promoter regulatory sequences and T7 polymerase. [0012]The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and from the claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0013]This invention is based, at least in part, on unexpected findings that a topical composition containing SCAF regulates and improves aging skin conditions. As mentioned above, the principal process of aging take place both in the top layers of skin (i.e. the epidermis) and in the dermis. A composition of this invention not only regulates and improves the conditions of the epidermis, but also effects the dermis by improving the nourishment and activating stem cells to renew and differentiate into fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and other cellular components of the skin. [0014]SCAF, an SDF-1 variant, described herein is a member of a chemokine family consisting of small secreted proteins (8-12 kDa). This family of chemokines are known to cause activation and migration of leukocytes (Baggiolini, 1998, Nature 392, 565-8; and Murdoch et al., 2000, Blood 95, 3032-43). As described in the examples below, a composition of this invention unexpectedly improves the condition of the epidermis layer or hair growth, without causing side effects related to leukocyte activation and migration, such as allergy. Thus, SCAF and other SDF-1 variants can be used as an active ingredient in a cosmetic composition. [0015]While many SDF-1 preparations can be used, highly purified SDF-1 is preferred. Examples of SDF-1 include mammalian SDF-1 (e.g., human SDF-1) or SDF-1 having substantially the same biological activity as mammalian SDF-1. All of naturally occurring SDF-1, genetic engineered SDF-1, and chemically synthesized SDF-1 can be used. SDF-1 obtained by recombinant DNA technology may have the same amino acid sequence as naturally a occurring SDF-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1) or an functionally equivalent thereof. The term "SDF-1" also covers chemically modified SDF-1. Examples of chemically modified SDF-1 include SDF-1 subjected to conformational change, addition or deletion of a sugar chain, and SDF-1 to which a compound such as polyethylene glycol has been bound. Once purified and tested by standard methods or according to the method described in the examples below, SDF-1 can be included in a topical composition. [0016]The amino acid composition of the SDF-1 polypeptide described herein may vary without disrupting the ability of the polypeptide to improve skin condition. For example, it can contain one or more conservative amino acid substitutions. A "conservative amino acid substitution" is one in which the amino acid residue is replaced with an amino acid residue having a similar side chain. Families of amino acid residues having similar side chains have been defined in the art. These families include amino acids with basic side chains (e.g., lysine, arginine, histidine), acidic side chains (e.g., aspartic acid, glutamic acid), uncharged polar side chains (e.g., glycine, asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine), nonpolar side chains (e.g., alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan), beta-branched side chains (e.g., threonine, valine, isoleucine) and aromatic side chains (e.g., tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine). Thus, a predicted nonessential amino acid residue in SEQ ID NO: 1 is preferably replaced with another amino acid residue from the same side chain family. Alternatively, mutations can be introduced randomly along all or part of SEQ ID NO: 1, such as by saturation mutagenesis, and the resultant mutants can be screened for the ability to improve skin condition to identify mutants that retain the activity as descried below in Example 3. [0017]A polypeptide of the invention can be obtained as a synthetic polypeptide or a recombinant polypeptide. To prepare a recombinant polypeptide, a nucleic acid encoding it can be linked to another nucleic acid encoding a fusion partner, e.g., glutathione-s-transferase (GST), 6x-His epitope tag, or M13 Gene 3 protein. The resultant fusion nucleic acid expresses in suitable host cells a fusion protein that can be isolated by methods known in the art. The isolated fusion protein can be further treated, e.g., by enzymatic digestion, to remove the fusion partner and obtain the recombinant polypeptide of this invention. [0018]The topical composition of this invention can further contain an anti-wrinkle herbal extract, a whiting herbal extract, or an anti-acne herbal extract. An extract is a concentrated preparation of the essential constituents of a medicinal herb. Typically, the essential constituents are extracted from a herb by suspending the herb in an appropriate choice of solvent, typically, water, ethanol/water mixture, methanol, butanol, iso-butanol, acetone, hexane, petroleum ether or other suitable organic solvents. The extracting process may be further facilitated by means of maceration, percolation, repercolation, counter-current extraction, turbo-extraction, or by carbon-dioxide hypercritical (temperature/pressure) extraction. After filtration to rid of herb debris, the extracting solution may be further evaporated and thus concentrated to yield a soft extract (extractum spissum) or eventually a dried extract (extracum siccum), by means of spray drying, vacuum oven drying, fluid-bed drying, or freeze-drying. The soft extract or dried extract may be further dissolved in a suitable liquid to a desired concentration for administering or processed into a suitable form. [0019]In a 100 g topical composition of this invention, exemplary quantities of the herb extract ingredients are: the anti-wrinkle herbal extract 3-30 g (e.g., 15 g); the whiting herbal extract, 3-30 g (e.g., 15 g); the anti-acne herbal extract: 3-30 g (e.g., 15 g); and SDF-1 2000-5000 Unit (e.g., 3000 unit). One "Unit" is defined as the amount of SDF-1 that, after administered to a subject, induce the migration of 1.times.10.sup.6 peripheral blood cells for at least 3 mm in vitro. The anti-wrinkle herbal extract can be prepared from hop or horsetail; the whiting herbal extract can be obtained from Scutellaria baicalensis root, or Saxifrage sarmentosa root; and the anti-acne herbal extract can be obtained from watercress, witch hazel, centella extract, or licorice. These herbs are commercially available. After authenticating each herb, conventional methods may be used to process the composition of the present invention into a form suitable for administering to human subjects. Those methods are either described in pertinent literature or commonly used by practitioners of herbal medicine. [0020]The composition of the present invention also contains a safe and effective amount of a dermatologically acceptable carrier that is suitable for topical application to the skin. It enables the essential materials and optional components in it to be delivered to the skin at an appropriate concentration. The carrier can thus act as a diluent, dispersant, solvent, or the like to ensure that the active materials are applied to and distributed evenly over the selected target at an appropriate concentration. The carrier can be solid, semi-solid, or liquid. Preferably, the carrier is in the form of a lotion, a cream, or a gel, more preferably one that has a sufficient thickness or yield point to prevent the active materials from sedimenting. The carrier can itself be inert or it can possess dermatological benefits of its own. The carrier should also be physically and, chemically compatible with the essential components described herein, and should not unduly impair stability, efficacy, or other use benefits associated with the compositions of the present invention. Continue reading about Cosmetic compositions... Full patent description for Cosmetic compositions Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Cosmetic compositions patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Cosmetic compositions or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Cosmetic composition comprising gingko biloba and sunscreen agents Next Patent Application: Cosmetic or dermatologic compositions containing microspheres Industry Class: Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Cosmetic compositions patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.27654 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Qualcomm , Schering-Plough , Schlumberger , Seagate , Siemens , Texas Instruments , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
